SUMMARY: Planned sin
OVERVIEW: Amnon, one of David’s sons, rapes his sister. His brother Absalom kills him in revenge.
BIG IDEA: You reap what you sow.
KEY VERSE: 2 Samuel 13:12 (Tamar to Amnon)
“No, my brother!” she cried. “Don’t be foolish! Don’t do this to me! Such wicked things aren’t done in Israel.”
IF GOD WROTE YOU A LETTER
You reap what you sow. Instead of planning your sin, put that same energy towards following me and serving others. Let temptation trigger a different response. Let it remind you that you have a higher calling and greater purpose. Turn from your evil desires and turn towards me instead. I want to mold and shape you into the image of Christ. I can’t do that if you are determined to see another person suffer. Learn a new way to live.
Invite me into your pain. Ask me to bring justice. Allow me to take over. This may be one of the most significant steps of faith you will ever take, but it will be worth it. You never win when you pursue revenge. You may have a moment of peace, but that will quickly turn to bitterness and regret. Learn to live in faith and trust me to bring justice. In doing so, you will get a glimpse of how I feel about sin. It angers me, too! My goal is for you and the other person to both worship me. Do your part today and trust me.
NEXT STEP
Evaluate whether or not you are harboring ill-will towards anyone. Make the wise decision to give that desire to God. If it’s a serious matter, it will likely be a decision you give to God again and again, but do so out of obedience. Learn to pray for the person to keep your heart soft towards God. If not, you will reap the consequences of a hard, vengeful spirit.
LYRIC VIDEO